Chapter 1: Introduction to Positive Psychology Flashcards
What is the definition of Positive Psychology?
The scientific study of ordinary human strength and virtues.
Before WWII, psychology focused on (3)…LIFE NOT STRENGTHS
Fixing acute illness, making life fulfilling and nurturing talent.
In 1947, the National Institute of Mental Health shifted research focus to…
Pathology, as the end of the second world war brought a lot of pathology
When psychology was focused on pathology, humans were seen as ______ because behaviourists argued that we were products of __________.
Passive
Conditioning
Positive psychology mainly came around as an argument against _________.
Behaviourism
What was the shift in environment when humanistic psychology and positive psychology entered the scene? (3)
Pathology->prevention
Children seen as decision makers
Focus on amplifying strengths > repairing weaknesses
Psychology is now more focused on balancing foci, including both what is _ with people and what is _ with people.
Wrong
Right
What are the main differences between humanistic psychology and positive psychology?
Research methods (empirical vs not empirical)
Foci (Maslow person vs. regular people)
Why is positive psychology worth doing? (3)
It feels good
Balances and broadens the scope of psychology
Informs us about what is good and strong in people
Who is the father of positive psychology?
Martin Seligman
Why did Seligman have the power to refocus psychology?
He was a university professor and the president of the APA.
What are the three levels of positive psychology?
Subjective, individual, societal
What is included in the subjective level of positive psychology?
Positive subjective states, emotions
Constructive thinking (like I can do it)
What is included in the individual level of positive psychology?
Positive traits
Behavioural patterns
What is included at the societal level of positive psychology?
Positive institutions, apply virtues to larger society.
What is included in the PERMA model?
Positive emotions
Engagement
Relationships/connection
Meaning/purpose
Achievement/accomplishment
What does the PERMA model predict?
Significant relationships between these 5 traits and wellbeing (health, vitality, job and life satisfaction)
Which parts of PERMA are most important for wellbeing?
You need all 5!
What are the newest developments in positive psychology(3)?
Professional journals
Relevant topics to positive human functioning
Permanence in scientific psychology
What is “The Good Life”?(3)
Three elements:
Connections with others
Positive individual traits
Life regulation qualities (contributing)
What are the 7 basic themes of positive psychology?
The good life
Positive emotions are important
People can flourish and thrive
People need positive social relationships
Strengths and virtues are important
Compassion and empathy are important
Independence of positive and negative emotions
Why are positive emotions so important? (3)
Balance psychology research
Emerge better from debilitating illnesses
Self help interventions
What is the Keyes and Lopez classification of mental health?
4 categories, 2 levels of well-being and 2 levels of illness. Flourishing, struggling, floundering and languishing.
What is Keyes and Lopez’s “Flourishing”?
High well-being and low mental illness
